Georgia Deer News  Proposed hunting regulations would cut deer season, declining deer population April 23, 2013 Georgia, Online Athens ... Georgia’s deer hunters have put forth a proposal to trim the number of “doe days” in order to halt a decline in the state’s deer population... the department’s own research showed that the longer hunting season during the past 10 years has reduced the deer population from 1.4 million to slightly less than 1 million... John Bowers, DNR’s assistant chief of game management. “Our goal is to stabilize the population around a million animals.” ... Georgia Deer Season Shortened? Not exactly. April 17, 2013 Realtree ® ... "The proposed regulations under consideration recommend a 25-day reduction only in the number of either-sex or 'doe days,' not in the length of the overall deer season," said John Bowers, assistant chief of the Game Management Section said in a press release. "This proposed change is a result of scientific data and deer hunters will still be able to hunt bucks during either-sex days." The 25-day reduction in doe days seems to be something Georgia hunters have been asking for ... DNR clears up rumors about deer season reduction April 13, 2013 Georgia, Rockdale Citizen ... "The proposed regulations under consideration recommend a 25-day reduction only in the number of either-sex or 'doe days,' not in the length of the overall deer season," said John Bowers, assistant chief of the Game Management Section. "This proposed change is a result of scientific data and deer hunters will still be able to hunt bucks during either-sex days." ... Deer Hunting Season Rumors April 11, 2013 Georgia, Stephen Burge ... The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division wants you to know the length of the deer hunting season has not been shortened — as has been reported by some media sources ... The broad trend of declining fawn recruitment rates coupled with high levels of doe harvest warrant a statewide regyulatory action. As the public grows more dissatisfied about the harvest of antlerless deer, declines in deer density concern many deer hunters in Georgia.... “We believe the proposed reduction in either-sex days strikes a reasonable balance ... Proposed hunting regulations would trim deer season April 11, 2013 Georgia, Savannah Morning News ... the hunting community asked the Department of Natural Resources to shorten the either-sex deer season by 25 days. The regular hunting season would remain the same. Hunters made the request because they were finding fewer bucks and does. Indeed, the department’s own research showed that the expanded hunting season during the past 10 years has reduced the deer population from 1.4 million to slightly less than 1 million... Misinformation abounds; deer season length not being reduced April 9, 2013 Georiga, Access North Georgia ... “The proposed regulations under consideration recommend a 25-day reduction only in the number of either-sex or ‘doe days,’ not in the length of the overall deer season,” said John Bowers, assistant chief of the Game Management Section... Long-term data indicate a statewide decline in the fawn recruitment rate in all physiographic regions of the state. At the same time, does have comprised 60-65% of the annual deer harvest... DNR clarifies deer hunting dates, reduced deer population April 9, 2013 Georgia, WALB-TV ... DNR studies show the population of deer in Georgia has been reduced, and needs to be stabilized. "There has been about a 13 percent increase in the doe harvest over the last several years," said Wildlife Biologist Brent Howze. "And the doe harvest stays about 65 percent of the total harvest. But fawn recruitment has decreased overall in the state about 26 percent." ... Georgia's deer hunters ask DNR for shorter season April 8, 2013 Florida Times-Union ... Georgia's deer hunters would get 25 fewer days to seek their quarry, but they don't mind the reduction. They requested it ... they were finding fewer bucks and does. Indeed, the department’s own research showed that the longer hunting season during the past 10 years has reduced the deer population from 1.4 million to slightly less than 1 million... All God's critters big and small, deer population in Georgia March 30, 2013 Covington News ... According to the Department of Natural Resources deer harvest guidelines, “ ... reduced the statewide deer population from 1.4 million deer in the 1990s to close to 1 million today...” DNR biologist Don McGowan estimates that the present deer population in this area is approximately 30-35 per square mile, considered healthy by current standards... Food Plot Species Profile: Grain Sorghum March 24, 2013 Georgia, QDMA.com ... sorghum is a viable warm-season option throughout the whitetail’s range for attracting deer in fall while providing the benefit of bedding areas and cover. It also provides the added benefit of attracting other wildlife such as geese, quail and doves. Sorghum, sometimes referred to as milo, is a member of the grass family and looks very much like corn in the initial stages of growth. ... Huge South Georgia deer trophy seized March 14, 2013 WALB-TV The Georgia Department of Natural Resources seized a huge deer rack from a hunter they say who shot the deer illegally. This is the trophy of the 22-point buck that green scored at 190 ... Darton to offer prescribed burn manager and deer ecology courses March 5, 2013 Georgia, WFXL FOX 31 Darton State College has announced two new courses to be offered this year; Georgia Prescribed Burn Manager and White Tailed Deer Ecology and Management ... The prescribed burn course will take place April 16th and 17th with a fee of $95 and the ecology course is schedule for May 22nd and 23rd, with a cost of $290 ... Panel blocks 'breeder' deer bill in Georgia February 28, 2013 Atlanta Journal Constitution ... Supporters of Senate Bill 230, introduced by Sen. Tyler Harper, R-Ocilla, cheered the move as an economic opportunity for breeders and rural farmers who could house the deer on private property for sport. The animals would not be released in the wild, supporters said, nor could they be slaughtered at the breeding facilities. The deer, however, would be hunted in captivity... ... Georgia’s percentage of 3.5 year old bucks compared to total buck harvest increased from 20 to 26 percent from the 2010-11 season to 2011-12. Georgia also led the nation with the highest antlerless deer harvest (277,961), and also ranked first in the U.S. with a 3.5-to-1 ratio of antlerless deer harvested per buck ... ... The sharp points are being removed from the century old fence that runs along the Wormsloe State Historic Park and Skidaway Road. Deer have been injured and even impaled while attempting to jump over the fence [see video below] ...According to wildlife biologist Chris Cook ... “What some people don’t understand is that the dam (doe) provides as much or more genetic influence for antler development as does the sire ... Another argument against culling bucks is a lack of understanding about white-tailed deer genetics. By and large, the genetics of deer, including those determining antler production, are poorly understood. Are Deer Numbers Too Low? January 3, 2013 Georgia, Georgia Outdoor News It’s been almost a decade since a subcommittee organized by the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) Game Management Section met numerous times to hash out ideas for the direction of deer management in Georgia ... Now we kill more does than bucks, and many more of the bucks we kill are older-aged. That’s a basic premise of quality management, which most hunters say they want... what wasn’t even mentioned 10 years ago during those subcommittee meetings? Coyotes... Deer recruitment rates (the number of fawns that survive) are way down because of coyote predation. Young deer rescued from pond January 3, 2013 Georgia, Forsyth County News Online A deer stuck in a storage pond for two days made it out Wednesday afternoon with the help of Forsyth County fire and animal control ... After about a dozen attempts, two firefighters captured the doe with the loop on the catch-and-release pole used by animal control. The men then carried the deer out beyond the gate of the pond to let her free. Live Reindeer at Chattahoochee Nature Center December 10, 2012 Georgia, Patch.com If you visit parts of Canada or Alaska, you may get a glimpse of a live reindeer, but you won't ever get to see a reindeer here in Georgia - unless of course you join us here at CNC on Reindeer Day," said Alicia Evans .. Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Are pythons invading Georgia? December 7, 2012 The Augusta Chronicle ... . In the south Florida swamps where the pythons have been established the longest, very few mammals like raccoons and deer remain ... ecologist J.D. Willson ... One controversial study concluded that pythons could survive as far northward as Washington, D.C. “That question’s still very much open to debate,” ... Future looks merrier for Bald Head Island deer December 5, 2012 Georgia, State Port Pilot After more than a decade of consideration, residents of Bald Head Island are seriously ready to administer birth control to the island’s deer herd, eliminating the need for periodic hunts. ... Oakley said his problem with the lethal cull has nothing to do with hunting, as he grew up hunting deer in his native Georgia. The issue, he said, is that Bald Head Island is not a suitable place for gunfire, and bow hunting is messy ... “The change is that the state Wildlife Resources Commission is willing to consider this management option,” Dorsey said. “It would be the first in the state.” Unsightly clearcuts herald rebirth of forests and wildlife November 10, 2012 Georgia, The Augusta Chronicle ... “The carrying capacity definitely improves, and it usually improves a lot ... There are lots and lots of studies to back that up.” ... veteran whitetail deer biologist Kip Adams ... Mature forests, even those with chestnut oaks and other deer-favored foods, typically produce 50 to 100 pounds of browse per acre ... Clearcuts, by comparison, average 10 to 20 times as much browse – about 1,000 pounds per acre – and much of it is found in the first few feet off the ground, where deer can get to it... 2013 QDMA National Convention to be held in Athens, Georgia November 7, 2012 AmmoLand.com (press release) The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) will hold its 13th annual National Convention in Athens, Ga., at The Classic Center on July 18-21, 2013 ... Ga. wildlife officials plan to hold deer hunt November 5, 2012 Georgia, Online Athens Georgia wildlife officials plan to hold a deer hunt at Panola Mountain State Park to control deer population in and around the park ... the park had between 60 and 70 deer per square mile last year. Wildlife officials say the recommended population is closer to 15 to 20 deer per square mile... Deer Drought in Georgia? November 3, 2012 Forum.gon.com ... Deer sightings in many areas in Georgia are down so far this year. My processor, who is also a high school bus driver who spends lots of time driving the county roads at early light, reports his deer intake numbers significantly down and is seeing very few deer on the roads... dawson/lumpkin counties and the population is way down. Mostly because of coyotes ... Conyers resident to head Georgia Wildlife Federation October 31, 2012 Georgia, Rockdale Citizen Todd Holbrook, former deputy commissioner of Georgia's Department of Natural Resources ... and was responsible for several groundbreaking studies into the decline, recruitment and retention of hunting and angling participation... Doe-to-buck ratio needs major improvement as deer season continues October 30, 2012 Georgia, Bayonet If you cannot confirm the deer is a doe or that a buck has at least four points on one side, do not pull the trigger.... Decreasing the number of immature bucks harvested and increasing the harvest of does, specifically in comparison to bucks, is important to increasing herd health ... While immature buck harvest in non-quality deer management areas on post is not restricted beyond Georgia state regulations, it is in the QDM area. Popular animal rescue park needs help after eviction October 29, 2012 Georgia, WXIA The Amicalola Deer Park [see this link for more information] has been given until November 11 to vacate ... is home to approximately 120 animals including exotic deer ... the owner is worried he doesn't have the money to move. Hungry coyotes might threaten Georgia deer herds October 22, 2012 The Augusta Chronicle ... UGA wildlife scientist Mike Chamberlain ...analyzed Eastern coyote data and found they had bred with Canadian wolves. Coyotes also can breed with dogs, but those offspring don’t contribute much to the gene pool, the DNA analysis showed... Southeastern researchers have found that coyotes may be cutting deer recruitment in half, reducing the fawn survival from about one fawn per doe down to about half that ,,, according to UGA deer management researcher Karl Miller and Williams Gulsby ... Game rangers, deer hunters hit the woods on opening day October 19, 2012 Georgia, Online Athens ... “Across Georgia and the nation, about 85 percent of all deer hunting occurs on private land, but on that land hunters can regulate the harvest and improve the habitat. That is much more challenging on state and federal land,” ... according to Brian Murphy, chief executive officer of the Quality Deer Management Association ... The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has a toll free hotline that people can call to report any poachers and illegal hunting practices. It’s anonymous: 1-800-241-4113. Amicalola Deer Park scrambling to move animals October 19, 2012 Georgia, MyFox Atlanta ... Sean Smith runs the park and says that the family who owns the land recently decided to do something else with the property, giving the park 30 days notice. Smith said that the park has neither the money nor the manpower for such a quick move... For 10 years, the Dawson County attraction has been open to the public, but the faith-based organization that rents the land and cares for the animals makes a point to reach out to special needs children. Turn in Poachers, Make them Pay in Georgia October 17, 2012 Coosa Valley News Not only is Saturday, Oct. 20 the opening day of firearms deer season, it also is officially recognized as Turn In Poachers Day in Georgia according to a proclamation recently signed by Gov. Nathan Deal... The public can reach the TIP hotline by dialing 1-800-241-4113, by dialing *DNR on a cell phone, or by sending an email to TurnInPoachers@dnr.state.ga.us . Those reporting should try to obtain the following information: the type of violation, a description of the violator, description of the violator’s vehicle, and the date, time and location of the violation. Firearms deer season begins Saturday October 15, 2012 Georgia, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer During the 2012-2013 firearms deer season, almost 280,000 licensed deer hunters harvested more than 340,000 deer in Georgia... John W. Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, in a recent press release. "In addition, sportsmen and women provide more than $30 million each year to fund wildlife conservation in the state through license fees and self-imposed excise taxes collected on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and fishing equipment." Deer Hunting: It marks relationship between father, son October 13, 2012 Georgia, Cherokee Tribune ... deer hunting required rising early in the morning. That is something I have never been a fan of. Then it involved sitting in a tree or on the ground in cold weather ... No thanks ... in my late teens I can remember my dad coming home after one of his hunts when he had killed a deer. I remember him clearly saying that he had killed his last deer. And after that day, I have no knowledge of him ever going hunting again. Jeff Foxworthy passionate about supporting deer conservation October 12, 2012 Georgia, Red and Black ... Foxworthy attended a symposium at the Georgia Center held by the Quality Deer Management Association, a national organization dedicated to conserving healthy deer populations, and the University’s Deer Laboratory.... The Georgia Department of Transportation is funding a project to reduce deer-vehicle collisions ... Deer park gets the boot October 12, 2012 Georgia, WSB Atlanta A Dawson County animal sanctuary is being forced to move... Sean Smith ... said the move will take about $20,000 -- some going toward a lease purchase of the land and the rest to help with moving the animals and putting up fences and outbuildings. “We can do it, but we can’t do it alone, and it’s going to take money,” ... UGA Deer Lab, QDMA to present research, host banquet next week October 2, 2012 Georgia, Online Athens ... University of Georgia Deer Lab ... host a banquet at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Oct. 11... “Coyotes have emerged recently as a big issue and a big question mark for deer and deer hunters, [QDMA director of communication Lindsay Thomas Jr.] “We’re finding that coyotes are having an impact that wasn’t significant before but is now. A lot of deer hunters are scratching their heads and saying, ‘What happened?’ A lot of them are seeing trail-cam pictures with coyotes with deer in their mouths.” As deer come to town, local sightings reported September 24, 2012 Georgia, Reporter Newspapers (blog) ... Experts say the deer are more plentiful because they’re smart and adaptable. They’re moving south for two reasons: Fewer hunters and more of their favorite food.... “This issue came up at a neighborhood meeting, and even my neighbors who hunt were appalled to discover that it’s legal to bow hunt in Sandy Springs,” said Debra Berger. “All ethical issues aside, the practice is dangerous.” ... Widespread EHD Outbreaks Anticipated Due to Drought September 20, 2012 Georgia, Wildlife Management Institute Wildlife disease experts warn that the prolonged drought affecting much of the nation will likely spur a substantial outbreak of enzootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), reports the Wildlife Management Institute. According to experts at the University of Georgia's Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS), wildlife managers in the entire Missouri River drainage as well as the Piedmont regions of North Carolina and West Virginia should prepare to see their white-tailed deer herds "get hammered" by this year's rash of EHD. Federal rules widen Bond Swamp hunting potential September 17, 2012 Georgia, Macon Telegraph (blog) “.. try to maximize our habitat and resource management,” Tuttle said. Much of the interest is expected in the refuge's white-tailed deer ... , which biologists determined are “approaching nutritional carrying capacity,” [Jacob Tuttle, manager of the refuge] said a University of Georgia report shows... much of the deer’s problem are the feral pigs in the refuge. Considered an invasive species, the pigs are destroying much of the plant life that animals survive on... Deer not eating apples? September 10, 2012 Georgia, Georgia Outdoor News Forum I've got 9 or 10 apples tree's on one of my leases. i bet no lie there is 200+ on the grond right now with no tracks around them. Any of yall seeing the same thing? Deer Season Starts With Archery Season Opening September 9, 2012 Georgia, Newscentralga ... Georgia attracts more out of state hunters than anywhere else in the country according to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and can bring in more than $670 million dollars in retail sales... Deer Hunting Season Opens for Archers on Saturday, Sept. 8 September 2, 2012 Georgia, Patch.com The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division announced that opening of Deer Hunting Season for archers will be Saturday, Sept. 8 ... According to the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Georgia is No. 1 in the nation for attracting out-of-state hunters and hunting accounts for $679 million in retail sales in Georgia each year with a $1.1 billion ripple effect... | Search for news and information by keyword above or find links to state news stories organized by topic. Other useful links: - Amicalola Deer Park in Dawsonville, North Georgia - Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Goal: The Wildlife Division is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia's wildlife resources. From Wildlife About Us For more information on deer hunting seasons, regulations, licenses and WMA maps: www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting. - Opinion & Attitude Survey Toward Deer Management in Georgia GDNR - Deer Lab at University of Georgia Deer Management Research Group. The DMRG was founded in 2011...Deer Lab |
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